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By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 23: Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised the importance of registering the craft products of the Iban people with the National Heritage Department for copyright protection.
According to Uggah, registration is important to protect and preserve the cultural arts of the Iban people, which are integral to the nation’s identity, for the sake of future generations.
“The purpose of national enlisting initiatives is to protect and maintain a nation’s rich cultural history for future generations, celebrate its significance to national identity, and foster pride and understanding among residents.
“Craft inventories are important for protecting cultural heritage and promoting artisanal traditions,” he said, adding that crafts reflect a culture’s history, values and traditions.
The Deputy Premier stated this in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Iban Women Charitable Trust (IWCT) Handicraft Competition at a hotel in Kuching today.
Uggah also emphasised the importance of developing an effective branding and marketing strategy to promote Dayak/Iban and Sarawak handicrafts both domestically and internationally.
“Participating in artisan fairs and exhibitions, as well as leveraging digital platforms for online sales, may be part of this strategy,” he added.
Additionally, he pointed out, agencies such as Malaysia Handicraft Development Corporation and Sarawak Craft Council can assist to meet the need to produce a new generation of young entrepreneurs in the handicraft industry.
He stated that the two agencies can assist by holding more programmes for anyone interested in getting involved in the industry.
“We have two agencies like Malaysia Handicraft Development Corporation and Sarawak Craft Council, which can continue to hold more of its Program Pembangunan Komuniti Kraft (Community Craft Development Programme) in the State.
“In this way, we can produce more young, new, and skilled entrepreneurs who will leverage on modern technology to produce products of international standard.
“I understand that under Program Pembangunan Kraft Komuniti, we have the Projek Pembangunan Kemahiran Komuniti (PPKK), Projek Start Up, (and the) Projek Pembangunan Perintis Kemahiran (PPPK),” he remarked.
In addition, he said, for local youths interested in advancing in the industry, the National Craft Institute has satellite campuses in Kuching and Betong that offer programmes at Persijilan Kemahiran Malaysia level.
Also present at the event were Uggah’s wife, Datin Amar Doreen Mayang; IWCT advisor Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang; IWCT chairman Dato Sri Tan Sri Empiang Jabu; IWCT trustee Senator Susan Chemerai Anding; and other dignitaries. — DayakDaily
